ACMT Toxicology Visual Pearls: Spider Bite

A patient presents to the ED for management of a spider bite. Which of the following statements is correct regarding a bite from the spider pictured?

  1. Laboratory studies can be helpful in management and predicting outcome.
  2. Antibiotics are recommended.
  3. The venom is cytotoxic and can cause red blood cell hemolysis.
  4. The venom is more potent on a volume-per-volume basis than the venom of a pit viper.

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By |2019-11-12T19:06:33-08:00Apr 9, 2018|ACMT Visual Pearls, Tox & Medications|

ACMT Toxicology Visual Pearls: Discolored Skin and Urine

cyanide poisoning cyanide poisoning

A patient is brought to the Emergency Department by EMS (Emergency Medical Services) from a house fire. The patient’s skin and urine are discolored as shown. What is the most likely cause of the discoloration?

  1. Acute liver failure
  2. An antidote administered by prehospital provider
  3. Carbon monoxide poisoning
  4. Massive hemolysis

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By |2019-11-12T19:07:15-08:00Jul 10, 2017|ACMT Visual Pearls, Tox & Medications|

ACMT Toxicology Visual Pearls: Exotic Viper Envenomation

exotic snake envenomation

A man was bitten twice on the dorsal radial aspect of his right hand while feeding his pet West African Bush Viper. The patient immediately tied multiple tourniquets around his right arm before presenting to the emergency department. During examination he is complaining of swelling and severe pain in his right upper extremity, but has no other complaints. What are the appropriate next steps in managing this patient?

  1. Apply ice to the bites
  2. Measure compartment pressures in the right arm and forearm
  3. Perform a fasciotomy
  4. Remove the tourniquets and order hematologic studies
  5. Use a venom extractor to reduce venom burden

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